The Diocese of London is celebrating a Bronze Eco Diocese Award from A Rocha UK, the Christian charity working to protect and restore the natural world and equip Christians to take better care of the planet.
The Bronze Award is recognition of the Diocese’s commitment to protecting and nurturing the environment. Across the Diocese of London, already over 40% (184) of churches participate in the Eco Church scheme, and over 20% have received awards, with two Eco Church Gold awards, 17 Silver and 69 Bronze awarded churches.
The Eco Diocese Award criteria also includes ethical investment, collaborating with other dioceses and faith groups, and ensuring environmental issues are embedded in training and development.
The Diocesan Creation Care Group are now targeting an Eco Diocese Silver Award, with an ambition that by 2030 every church will be an Eco Church.
(Image: Insulation and the addition of solar panels at St Paul’s Marylebone)
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, said:
“This award is the culmination of years of hard work from churches and colleagues across this Diocese. I would like to pay tribute to those across our areas and parishes who have contributed, particularly our Head of Environment and Sustainability Brian Cuthbertson, and our Compassionate Communities and Net Zero teams for their tireless dedication to forging a brighter future for our planet and its people.
“As stewards of God’s creation, we have a fundamental responsibility to act sustainably and protect the world we live in. From rewilding to school partnerships to recycling projects, the actions of our churches and people fill me with hope for the future.”
A Rocha’s Helen Stephens who presented this Eco Diocese Award said:
“From the stories, conversations and initiatives, I get a sense of great commitment and energy around creation care. We at A Rocha UK look forward to seeing even more progress across the Diocese in the future.”
Find out more about Eco Church on their website. The scheme was launched in St Paul’s Cathedral in January 2016 by Archbishop Rowan Williams, who presented St Paul’s with the first Bronze Award. St James’s Piccadilly and St Paul’s North Marylebone are the Diocese’s two Eco Church Gold award winners to date.